Centrifugal governor



posite end with an adjustable head 9. The base 8 is of somewhat greater diameter than the cylindrical wall 1 to provide an annular flange I I and may be secured to the wall asby welding or the like. The governor is mounted on the end of the shaft in any suitable manner, as by means of bolts I2 coacting with the base flange II and a flange I3 of the rotary shaft. The head 9 is provided with screw threads I4 formed for coaction with screw threads I5 in the wall 1 for adjusting the position of the head for purposes hereinafter more fully set forth, and peripheral sockets I1 are preferably formed in the head for receiving the jaws of a Spanner wrench.

Spaced at equal distances on the flange II, a plurality of fulcrum blocks I8 (preferably three as shown) each having an extended knife edge I9 are provided. The blocks I8 are preferably loosely swiveled for self-centering in recesses or holes 20 formed in the flange II, and the cylindrical wall 1 is provided with a like number of similarly spaced apertures 2| adjacent the base 8. A weight 23 having a main body portion 24 and an arm 25 is fulcrumed at pivot point 26 on the knife edge I9 of each of the blocks I8 with the arm 25 thereof extended through the corresponding aperture 2I of the cylindrical housing wall. The arm 25 of each of the weights 23 has the extended portion thereof formed as an arcuate rolling surface 21 generated with a radius equal to the distance from the pivot or fulcrum point 26 of the weight to the arcuate surface for reasons as will hereinafter more clearly appear. Each weight is also formed with an angular surface 52 adapted to coact with the cylindrical wall 1 to limit move- 'ment of the weights as they are swung laterally outward about their pivots.

Within the cylindrical housing of the governor, a floating guide member 29 carrying an elongated guiding tube 3U for-med for guiding coaction with the annular lip 3| of a central opening in the head 9 is provided. Housed within the tube 30 'and cooperable at one end with the guide member 29 and pivotally associated at the opposite end with the control lever 6 is a spindle 32. The guide member 29 is shown herein as being mounted for rotation relative to the spindle 32 through the expedient of a ball bearing 33, the inner race 35 of which is secured to a shank 36 of the guide member 29 by means of a nut 31 and the outer f race 38 of which is secured to the head 39 of the spindle 32 by means of a clamping ring 4I screw threaded to the spindle head and forming a housing for the bearing. However, the guide member 29 may be formed integral with spindle 32 if desired, with the bearing interposed between the spindle and the lever 6 for rotation of the spindle relative to Ythe lever. Likewise, the guide member 29 is shown herein as being formed of two parts, united as by welding for simplicity in machining and assembling, but this member 29 may obviously be made in one piece.

A plurality of rectangular pockets 42, equal in number to the apertures 2I in the Wall 1 and spaced a like distance apart, are formed in the guide member 29. Each of the pockets 42 is adapted to receive the arm 25 of one of the weights 23, and each pocket is formed with an jinner lateral guiding surface 43 with which the arcuate rolling surface 21 of the weight arm is adapted to coact for positioning and guiding the member 29. The outwardly extending surface of each pocket 42 is preferably provided with a 4 45. A link 41 having opposite knife edge bearing surfaces coacting with the grooves 44, 45 is provided in each of the pockets 42, thereby forming a pivotal connection between each of the weights and the floating guide member.

To constantly urge the guide member 29 toward the base 8 and prevent disengagement of the weights, a spring 48 is provided. The spring 48 is positioned within the cylindrical wall 1 and is seated at one end on the inner surface of the adjusting head 9 and at the opposite end on the free race 50 of a ball bearing 49, the race 5I of which is carried by the guide member 29. Tension on the spring 48 may be varied by screwing the adjusting head 9 to the desired position, and the bearing 49 may obviously be eliminated, if desired, without materially affecting the operation of the device, this bearing being provided only for the purpose of permitting free relative rotation between the spring and the guide member 29 during adjustments in the tension on the spring.

In assembling the improved governor, the cylindrical wall 1 is first secured to the base 8 in any suitable manner with the apertures 2I aligned with the holes 20 into-which the Vblocks I8 are next inserted. The weights 23 are then positioned with the pivot point 26 of each weight resting on the knife edge I9 of its corresponding fulcrum block I8 and with the arms 25 thereof extending through the apertures 2| into the cylinder. With the weights swung laterally outward to the fullest extent, such movement being limited by contact of the angular surface 52 with the wall 1, and with the base in horizontal position, the links 41 may be positioned with a knife edge of each link seated in the groove 45 of each weight arm 25 and the link resting against the inner side wall of the groove in substantially vertical position. The guide member 29 and spindle 32 may be assembled separately as a unit by securing the inner race of bearing 33 to the shank 36 of the guide member by means of nut 31 and securing the outer race 38 of the bearing to the spindle head 39 by means of clamping ring 4I and finally mounting the guide tube 30 and bearing 49, if utilized, in place on the guide member. With the links 41 positioned as described, the guide member and spindle assemblage may next be slid axially into position within the cylinder with the pockets 42, formed therein, receiving the weight arms 25 and links 41. As the guide member 29 is moved axially toward the base, each link 41 slides into position with the opposite knife edges thereof in grooves 44, and each weight is caused to rotate about its pivot 26 until the body 24 is stopped by the wall 1 as shown in Fig. 1. Finally, the spring 48 is seated on the bearing 49, or directly on the guide member if the bearing is omitted, and the head 9 is screwed into place by means of a spanner wrench or the like to complete the assemblage of the unit.

groove or V-shaped depression 44, and the arm of each weight isprovided with a similar groove After the governor has been thus assembled with the various parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, it is apparent that the unit may be applied to any rotary shaft provided with a suitable flange I3 to which the base 8 can be secured and the spindle 32 may be connected in any suitable manner to control mechanism for performing the desired work. A

In operation after assemblage and mounting, the device may rst be adjusted ln an obvious manner for response at the desired speed of rotation of the shaft 5 by adjusting the tension on the spring through the expedient of the threaded geoogst@ adjusting heady 9, thereby establishing theproper resilient resistance toaxial movement of the spindle* by1 the lever weights as they are: subjected tocentrifugalv force: during rotation. As the shaft carrying the governor is rotated; the Weights remain ininactive position with. the bodies thereof seated on the` outerl surface of:` thecyl-indric'alwall l, as: illustrated" in- Fig.V l, by reason-of' the resistance to movement established#` by the4 spring untill attainmentV of the speed for which the governor has-.been adjusted. Dur`` ing rotation of-A theshaft the. entire, governing unit is rotatedi'therewith with. the exception of? the spindle:` 321. As. the speed forV which the governor has been. adjusted is; reached,. the tendency ofthe-spring to resist ymovementzof the spindle and.' Weightsi is` overcome: by. centrifugal forceacting onthe weights-g. and theweights are swung-laterally. outward about their pivots,.caus ing the; guide member andspindla through theV expedient'. of links 471,. to move axially. away from thee basel against the resistanceof the springto actuatev the lever` 6 for performing. the,` desired Work; As the` speed of. the rotary shaft is reduced', the. tendency of. the* spring. overcomes the centrifugalv forceY acting` on the weights, andthe Weights.v are therefore rotated about` their -pivots to. neutral or.' inoperative; position.- Throughout axial movementrof4 thespindleand guide `member andiasathe weights arefrotated in eitherdirection about; their. pivots,4 the arcuate; rolling surfaces 2l. formed on. the weights remain in constant contact With;the inner lateral guiding surfaces 413;. of; thel member 2-9 toposition and guide` the member and the spindle centrally of the shaft. Obviously, `thetubeg-il isflikewise guided throughout axiale-movement. by` the lip 3l of the adjustingfghead. thereby-providingiguide meansfor the guideJmember. and spindle at two axially spaced. points Erom the; foregoing. detailed description, it is,- apparent that the present invention provides` an improved'centrifugalgovernor wherein all parts are maintained in constant alignment throughout the operation thereof with a minimum of frictional resistance. The improved governor is simple, rigid and compact in, constructionwith comparatively few parts requiring careful machining, anditzis` nevertheless highly sensitive in operation. The axially movable spindle is movedby the action of the weights against the action' ofthe spring andno separate means need bei. provided for positioning' and guiding the spindleduring such movements; the weights beingsoformed as `to position and `guide the 'spindle :l

throughout axialmovement thereof. Governors constructed-in accordance` with the present invention'may'be sold'as unitary assemblages independently of other equipment and may be readily installed-and` applied to existing machinery bya novice; and may Ilikewise be readily adjusted, without removal of parts, over a wide range to meet particular requirements.

While my improved device has been illustrated and described as being provided with three weights, any desired number such as Will serve to guide the spindle and guide member at two or more radial points may be provided. The size and shape of the weights may likewise be varied to meet any particular operating requirements, and the main body of the weights may be lengthcned or shortened or increased or decreased in thickness to response Within the desired ranges. If a highly sensitive governor is not a necessary requirement, the knife edge link 41 may be eliminated and the extended portieri of! the weigh-tL arm adjacent the arcuate surface" maybeformed'i for-direct coaction With-- the guide member/frA transmitting movement of the weights to the'xv guide member and spindle for moving the-same" axially; The fulcrum' blocks? carriedby the base flange are preferably loosely mounted in their? sockets for self-centering the samew-ithl respect to the weights carriedthereby as well as-fo'rselffr centering the unit. Whilefthe guide member 2-9` has been herein shown and 'describedY as beingv formed: o'f two partsv unite'd by welding afterY machining and with the guide:l member' and spindle rotatable relative to each other`,. these parts may be formed as a singlef integral: uiitas hereinaboveindicatedy if desired; andthe bear# ing 49 may also-be eliminated". By: forming" the angular surfaces^5`2 asherein described, a simple limit stop for each of the Weights is`- rar'ovided` therebyi eliminating `the i possibility off the `weights becoming disengaged in the eventthe" spring should break during operation.

It should therefore be understoodA that it is not desiredV to limit the presentfinvention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of operation herein` shown and desc1'lb'`eli`;v

since various modifications within thev scopeof the claims may occur to persons skilledi in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secureby Letters Patent:

1, A centrifugalgovernor, comprising: a base' formed for rotation with a rotatable-shaft; axially movable means; means-including a plurality of centrifugally movable.` weights, rotatable" in unison with said base, for causingv axial move'- ment of said axially movable means; said base and said weights comprising means for mounting said weight for centrifugal movementiincluding cooperating pairs of knife edgel and knife edge seat elements, atleast one of"I the elements of `each pair being mounted for s'wivellingrnova ment for self-alignment.

2. Inagovernor to be centrifugally'actuatedby a rotatable shaft, a base for connection .withV the shaft,` a plurality of fulcrum blocks"` pivotally mounted on the base, aplurality of centrifugally' actuable Weights severally mounted' on` the full' crum blocks, means pivotally mountedfon and movableaxially of" the shaftbytte weights upciri centrifugal: movement' thereof,` the filcruiii'V blocks'pivoting for coaxial-positioning with! and for retentionl of the 'axially movable nieansdn coaxial position with the shaftfbythe^weghts and meansfresisting axialim'ovement" off the first" said means. I

3. In a governorto becentrifugallyl' actuated' by Va rotatable shaft; a base for connection with the shaft; a plurality of knife-edged fulcrun'i blocks'pivotally mounted on thefb'ase; a' `plu`rality"- of centrifugallyA Aactuable` weights having V- grooves for several mountings=of-'tlieweights'on the fulcrum blocks, means pivotally mounted on the weights and movable axially of the shaft thereby upon centrifugal movement thereof, the Weights having arcuate surfaces for contact with the said means and the fulcrum blocks pivoting for bringing the arcuate weight surfaces into and retaining the surfaces in contact with said means for continuous coaxial positioning thereof with the shaft, and means resisting axial movement of the first said means.

4. A centrifugal governor comprising: a base formed for rotation with a rotatable shaft; means rotatable coaxially and in unison with said base and movable axially relatively to said base; means biasing said rotatable means in an axial direction; a plurality of oentrifugally movable pivoted weights rotatable in unison with said base; means interposed between said weights and said rotatable means having surfaces serving solely tocause axial movement of said rotatable means against said bias in response to centrifugal movement of said weight and to cause said rotatable meansto rotate in unison with said base; and means interposed between said weights and said rotatable means having cooperable surfaces rotatable in unison about the axis of said base servingl solely to maintain said rotatable means coaxial with said base during said axial movement of said rotatable means, one of said surfaces being a plane surface parallel to the axis of said rotatable means and the surface cooperable therewith being arcuate and concentric with the axis of the pivot of the respective weight.

. 5. A centrifugal governor comprising: a base formed for rotation with a rotatable shaft; means rotatable coaxially and in unison with said base and movable axially relatively to said base; means biasing said rotatable means in an posed between said weights and said rotatable means having cooperable surfaces rotatable in unison about the axis of said base serving solely to maintain said rotatable means coaxial with said base during said axial movement of said rotatable means.

6. A centrifugal governor comprising: a base formed for rotation with a rotatable shaft; means rotatable coaxially and in unison with said base and movable axially relatively to said base; means biasing said rotatable means in an axial direction; a plurality of centrifugally movable weights rotatable in unison with said base; means including links knife edged at both ends respectively interposed between and cooperating with seats in said weights and said rotatable means serving solely to cause axial movement of said rotatable means against said bias in response to centrifugal movement of said weight and to cause said rotatable means to rotate in unison with said base; and means interposed between said weights and said rotatable means having cooperable surfaces rotatable in unison about the axis of said base serving solely to maintain said rotatable means coaxial with said base during said axial movement of said rotatable means.

7. In a governor to be centrifugally actuated by a rotatable shaft, a base for connection with the shaft, a plurality of centrifugally actuable weights pivotally mounted on the base, rotatable means movable axially of the shaft upon centrifugal movement of the Weights, means including links pivoting on the Weights and pivotally supporting the axially movable means, for rotating said axially movable means in unison with said base and for transmitting centrifugal movement of the weights as axial movement of the rotatable means, and means resisting axial movement of the first said means.

8. In a governor to be centrifugally actuated by a rotatable shaft. a base for connection with the shaft, a plurality of centrifugally actuable weights pivotallyfmounted on the base and having V-grooves therein, rotatable means movable axially of the shaft upon centrifugal movement of the weights, the rotatable means having V- grooves therein facing the V-grooves in the weights, means including links knife edged at both ends having the edges severally bearing in the grooves in the Weights and in the rotatable means for rotating said rotatable means and transmitting centrifugal movement of the weights to the rotatable means substantially parallel with the axis thereof, and means resisting axial movement of the first said means.

9. A centrifugal governor, comprising: a base formed for rotation with a rotatable shaft; axially movable means; a plurality of centrifugally movable weights rotatable in unison with said base; means for causing axial movement of said axially movable means in response to centrifugal movement of said Weights and for determining the general plane of centrifugal movement of the respective weights; and said base and said weights comprising means for mounting said weights for centrifugal movement including cooperating pairs of knife edge and knife edge seat elements, at least one of the elements of each pair being mounted for swivelling movement for self-alignment.

EDWARD M. KUEMMERLEIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 237,655 Wright Feb. 8, 1831 345,670 Campbell July 20, 1886 742,874 Junggren Nov. 3, 1903 959,471 Dake May 31, 1910 984,439 Olin Feb. 14, 1911 1,096,386 Norton May 12, 1914 1,274,643 Wait Aug. 6, 1918 1,371,767 Johnson Mar. 15, 1921 2,177,063 Gottlieb Oct. 24, 1939 2,219,229 Kalin Oct. 22, 1940 

